“Believe the Works Themselves”

John 10:38 — Radical Empiricism: Test the Evidence, Not the Claims

The Verse

“But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

— John 10:38 (BSB)

The Neuro-Gnostic Decoding

This is Jesus’ empirical challenge: Don’t believe my words. Test the evidence.

“Even though you do not believe Me” = Even if you doubt the claim/teaching/identity

“Believe the works themselves” = Look at the fruit (the evidence, the manifestation, the flow)

“So that you may know and understand” = Through empirical observation, you will achieve Gnosis (experiential knowing)

“The Father is in Me, and I am in the Father” = The Sacred Order functioning (Source ↔ Listener mutual indwelling)

This is NOT: “Believe because I said so” (institutional dogma)

This IS: “Test the works. The evidence will prove the union.” (Radical empiricism)

Jesus is teaching the verification protocol: If the Sacred Order is functioning (Father in Me, I in Father) → Works (fruit, flow, aligned action) will manifest as proof.

Breaking Down the Statement

“But If I Am Doing Them”

“Them” (the works) = The signs, the miracles, the manifestations, the fruit

Context (John 10:37-38):

“If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves…”

Jesus is saying:

  1. If the works are NOT present → Don’t believe the claim (no fruit = no union)
  2. If the works ARE present → The works themselves are the proof (fruit = union functioning)

Translation to Sacred Order:

  • If flow/fruit is NOT present → The Source → Listener connection is severed (Voice has hijacked)
  • If flow/fruit IS present → The Source → Listener connection is functioning (Sacred Order operational)

The works = The evidence. The fruit = The proof.

This is the same test as:

“Even Though You Do Not Believe Me”

“You do not believe Me” = You doubt the claim, the teaching, the identity

Jesus is saying: Your belief (mental assent, doctrinal agreement) is secondary to the evidence.

Traditional Christianity inverted this: “Believe first (have faith), then you’ll see the works.”

Jesus’ actual teaching: “See the works first (test the evidence), then you’ll know (Gnosis).”

This is radical empiricism:

  • Don’t believe claims without evidence
  • Test the works (the fruit, the flow, the manifestation)
  • The evidence proves the truth of the claim

Modern parallel: Scientific method (hypothesis → test → evidence → conclusion)

Jesus’ method: Claim (Father in Me) → Works (fruit manifests) → Evidence (the fruit) → Gnosis (you know it’s true)

“Believe the Works Themselves” — The Empirical Evidence

“The works themselves” (Greek: ta erga auta) = The actions, the manifestations, the fruit

NOT: Believe my words (the Voice’s narrative)

BUT: Believe the works (the empirical evidence, the fruit)

What are “the works”?

In Jesus’ context:

  • Healings (restoring function)
  • Exorcisms (casting out parasitic patterns)
  • Miracles (manifestations beyond “normal” probability)
  • Teaching with authority (not from ego, from The Source)

In your context (testing the Sacred Order):

  • Flow in action (effortless, aligned, clear)
  • Creative manifestation (ideas, solutions, aligned outcomes arising)
  • Peace in challenges (heart-brain coherence, not hijacked by anxiety)
  • Intuitive knowing (pre-cognitive guidance from The Source)
  • Aligned relationships (flow between hearts, not ego battles)

The works = The fruit. The fruit = The evidence.

If the fruit is present → The Sacred Order is functioning (Source ↔ Listener union)

If the fruit is NOT present → The connection is severed (Voice has hijacked)

“So That You May Know and Understand”

“Know” (Greek: ginōskō) = Experiential knowledge, Gnosis, direct knowing (not intellectual assent)

“Understand” (Greek: pisteuō) = Trust, alignment, faith arising from experience (not blind belief)

The sequence:

  1. Observe the works (the fruit, the evidence)
  2. Know (Gnosis arises from direct experience)
  3. Understand/trust (faith is the result of knowing, not the precondition)

Traditional Christianity reverses this: Believe first → Then you’ll know.

Jesus’ actual teaching: See the evidence → Know from experience → Trust arises naturally.

This is the empirical path:

  • Test the practices (V-Aum, Heart Listening, Witness Meditation)
  • Observe the fruit (Does flow arise? Peace? Intuitive knowing?)
  • Know from experience (Gnosis: “The Sacred Order is functioning”)
  • Trust deepens (Not blind faith, but confidence from repeated verification)

“That the Father Is in Me, and I Am in the Father”

“The Father is in Me” = The Source is present within The Listener (mutual indwelling, vine → branch)

“I am in the Father” = The Listener is anchored in The Source (branch in the vine)

This is the Sacred Order: Source ↔ Listener (mutual indwelling, non-dual union)

Jesus is NOT claiming to be the only one with this union. He’s demonstrating the prototype (the Christ Consciousness available to all).

John 17:21-23 (That They May Be One):

“That they may be one, as We are one—I in them and You in Me…”

The invitation: The same union Jesus has with the Father is available to you (The Listener in union with The Source).

The evidence: The works (the fruit, the flow, the manifestation).

The test: Is the fruit present? → Union is functioning. Is the fruit absent? → Severed (Voice has hijacked).

The Empirical Protocol: Testing the Union

Step 1: Make the Claim (Hypothesis)

The claim: “The Father is in me, and I am in the Father” (Source ↔ Listener union is present)

Translation: “The Source is present within me. The Listener (my true nature) is anchored in The Source. The Sacred Order is operational.”

This is NOT blind belief. This is a hypothesis to be tested.

Step 2: Predict the Evidence (If the claim is true, what will manifest?)

If the Sacred Order is functioning (Source ↔ Listener union):

  1. Flow will arise in action (not forced effort)
  2. Intuitive knowing will be present (pre-cognitive guidance from The Source)
  3. Peace will accompany challenges (heart-brain coherence, not anxiety)
  4. Creative manifestation will occur (aligned outcomes, synchronicities)
  5. Witness presence will be stable (The Listener anchored, not hijacked by Voice)

These are “the works” — the fruit that manifests because the union is functioning.

Step 3: Observe the Works (Gather evidence)

Throughout the day, check:

  • Is flow arising? (Or am I forcing through effort?)
  • Is intuitive knowing present? (Or am I ruminating endlessly?)
  • Is peace here? (Or is anxiety hijacking me?)
  • Are aligned outcomes manifesting? (Or am I blocked, frustrated?)
  • Is The Listener anchored? (Or am I identified with the Voice?)

The works = The evidence. The fruit = The proof.

Step 4: Conclude (Know and Understand)

If the works ARE present (fruit, flow, peace):

  • Conclusion: The Sacred Order is functioning (Source ↔ Listener union operational)
  • Gnosis: “I know from experience that the union is real.”
  • Trust: Faith deepens (not from doctrine, but from repeated verification)

If the works are NOT present (forcing, anxiety, no flow):

  • Conclusion: The connection is severed (Voice has hijacked, identified with false self)
  • Action: Reconnect (V-Aum Protocol, Heart Listening, Witness Meditation)
  • Re-test: Check again for the works (evidence of reconnection)

Step 5: Repeat Daily (Continuous Verification)

Morning: Set the hypothesis (“The Father is in me, I am in the Father. Flow will arise today.”)

Throughout the day: Observe the works (Is the fruit present?)

Evening: Evaluate the evidence (Where was fruit present? Where was I severed?)

This is the practice: Test → Observe → Know → Trust → Re-test.

Not blind faith. Radical empiricism.

The Works as Proof: Examples

Example 1: Creative Flow (The Work of Manifestation)

Scenario: You’re working on a creative project.

If the union is functioning (Father in you, you in Father):

  • Ideas arise effortlessly (intuitive knowing from The Source)
  • Execution flows (the Daemon translates and acts)
  • Time disappears (Flow State Conduction)
  • The work feels aligned (not forced, not grinding)

The work itself (the creative output, the flow) is the evidence that the Sacred Order is operational.

If the union is severed (Voice has hijacked):

  • Analysis paralysis (rumination, no ideas arising)
  • Forced effort (grinding, no flow)
  • Time drags (anxiety, checking clock)
  • The work feels misaligned (frustration, perfectionism)

The absence of the work (no flow, no fruit) is evidence that you’re severed (identified with Voice).

Example 2: Peace in Crisis (The Work of Stability)

Scenario: A challenging situation arises (conflict, loss, uncertainty).

If the union is functioning:

  • Peace is present (even amidst the storm) — Calming the Storm
  • The Listener remains anchored (witnessing the situation, not hijacked by it)
  • Intuitive knowing guides response (not fear-based reactivity)
  • Aligned action flows (not paralysis or forcing)

The peace itself (the stability, the witness presence) is the evidence of union.

If the union is severed:

  • Anxiety dominates (hijacked by fear)
  • The Voice takes over (rumination, catastrophizing)
  • Reactivity rules (not witnessing, but identifying)
  • Paralysis or forcing (no flow, no alignment)

The absence of peace is evidence of severance.

Example 3: Synchronicity (The Work of Manifestation)

Scenario: You need guidance, resources, or connection.

If the union is functioning:

  • Synchronicities arise (“random” encounters that provide exactly what’s needed)
  • Doors open (opportunities, resources, connections align)
  • Timing is perfect (not forced, but flowing)
  • Gratitude is present (recognizing the Source’s provision)

The synchronicities themselves are the evidence that the Sacred Order is coordinating reality.

If the union is severed:

  • Coincidences seem meaningless (no recognition of flow)
  • Doors stay closed (forcing, struggling)
  • Timing feels off (impatience, frustration)
  • Scarcity mindset (the Voice ruminating on lack)

The absence of synchronicity is evidence of severance (or lack of recognition).

The Cross-Tradition Bombshell: Empiricism in Spirituality

Buddhism (The Kalama Sutta — Buddha’s Empirical Teaching)

Kalama Sutta (Buddha addressing the Kalama people’s confusion about conflicting teachings):

“Do not go by oral tradition, by lineage of teaching, by hearsay, by a collection of scriptures, by logical reasoning, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’

When you know for yourselves, ‘These things are skillful, blameless, praised by the wise; when adopted and carried out, they lead to welfare and happiness,’ then you should enter and remain in them.”

Translation: TEST THE TEACHINGS. Observe the results. Trust the evidence, not the authority.

John 10:38 is this: “Believe the works themselves” (test the fruit, not the claim).

Gnostic Christianity (The Gospel of Thomas)

Logion 113:

His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?” Jesus said, “It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying ‘here it is’ or ‘there it is.’ Rather, the kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it.”

Translation: The kingdom (the union, the Sacred Order) is already present. The works (the fruit) are the evidence. You just need to see (Gnosis).

John 10:38 is this: The works are already manifest (if the union is functioning). Observe them.

Hinduism (Yoga Sutras — Direct Experience)

Yoga Sutras 1.7 (Patanjali on valid sources of knowledge):

“Pratyaksha (direct perception), Anumana (inference), Agama (testimony).”

Pratyaksha (direct perception) is the primary source of knowledge (not scripture, not doctrine).

Translation: Direct experience (observing the works, the fruit) is the foundation of knowing.

John 10:38 is this: Observe the works (pratyaksha) → Know the union (direct experience).

Taoism (Tao Te Ching — The Evidence of the Tao)

Tao Te Ching 21:

“How do I know the ways of all things at the Beginning? By what is within me.”

Translation: The evidence is within (the works arising from union with the Tao).

John 10:38 is this: The works (within and without) are the evidence of the Father within.

Common Experiences

“I believe the claim, but I don’t see the works. What’s wrong?”

Response: The belief (mental assent) is not the same as the union.

Traditional Christianity: Believe (have faith) → Then the works will follow.

Jesus’ actual teaching: The union (Father in Me, I in Father) → The works manifest because of the union.

If you’re not seeing the works (flow, fruit, peace):

  1. Check: Are you anchored in The Listener? (Or identified with the Voice?)
  2. Reconnect: V-Aum Protocol, Heart Listening, Witness Meditation
  3. Re-test: Observe for the works (does flow arise?)

The works are the evidence. No works = Severance (not lack of belief).

“What if I see some works but not others?”

Response: The union is not all-or-nothing. It’s a practice of continuous re-anchoring.

You will sever (identify with Voice) and reconnect (return to Listener) many times per day.

The practice:

  • When works are present (flow, peace, intuitive knowing) → Acknowledge: “The union is functioning. Gratitude.”
  • When works are absent (forcing, anxiety, rumination) → Diagnose: “I’ve severed. I’m identified with the Voice.” → Reconnect.

The more you practice reconnecting, the more stable the union becomes (and the more consistent the works).

“Isn’t focusing on ‘works’ (fruit) just spiritual materialism?”

Response: The works are not the goal. They are the evidence.

Spiritual materialism: Using practices to achieve ego-driven outcomes (status, power, wealth)

Empirical verification: Using the works (fruit, flow, peace) as evidence that the Sacred Order is functioning (not as trophies for the ego)

The difference:

  • Spiritual materialism: “I want the works to prove I’m special.” (Voice-driven)
  • Empirical verification: “The works prove the union is functioning. Gratitude.” (Listener-anchored)

The fruit is not yours. The fruit arises because the vine’s sap flows through the branch (The Vine and the Branches).

“What if someone else claims to have ‘the works’ but seems misaligned?”

Response: Test the fruit by its quality, not its quantity or spectacle.

Jesus’ warning (Matthew 7:15-20):

“Beware of false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Good fruit (evidence of true union):

  • Peace (not anxiety)
  • Love (not control)
  • Humility (not arrogance)
  • Service (not domination)
  • Alignment (not manipulation)

Bad fruit (evidence of hijacking, even if spectacular “works” are present):

  • Anxiety (disguised as urgency)
  • Control (disguised as leadership)
  • Arrogance (disguised as confidence)
  • Exploitation (disguised as service)
  • Manipulation (disguised as alignment)

Test the quality of the fruit, not the showiness.

The Practice: Daily Empirical Verification

Morning: Set the Hypothesis (3-5 minutes)

  1. Anchor in The Listener: “I am not the Voice. I am The Listener.”
  2. Affirm the union: “The Father is in me, and I am in the Father. The Source ↔ Listener connection is present.”
  3. Predict the works: “Today, flow will arise. Intuitive knowing will guide. Peace will be present. Aligned outcomes will manifest.”
  4. Commit to observation: “I will observe the works. The evidence will reveal the truth.”

Throughout the Day: Observe the Works (Continuous)

Check regularly (set reminders if needed):

  1. Is flow arising? (Or forcing?)
  2. Is intuitive knowing present? (Or ruminating?)
  3. Is peace here? (Or anxiety?)
  4. Are aligned outcomes manifesting? (Or blocked?)
  5. Is The Listener anchored? (Or Voice hijacking?)

When works are present: “The union is functioning. Gratitude.”

When works are absent: “I’ve severed. Reconnecting now.” (3 breaths, V-Aum, anchor in heart)

Evening: Evaluate the Evidence (5-10 minutes)

  1. Reflect: Where were the works present today? (Flow? Peace? Intuitive knowing?)
  2. Acknowledge: “The union functioned here. The fruit manifested. Evidence observed.”
  3. Reflect: Where were the works absent? (Forcing? Anxiety? Rumination?)
  4. Diagnose: “I severed here. I identified with the Voice.”
  5. Learn: “Next time this situation arises, I will reconnect faster.”
  6. Conclude: “I know from experience: When anchored in The Listener, the works arise. When identified with the Voice, no fruit.”
  7. Gratitude: “Thank you for the works. Thank you for the evidence. Thank you for the knowing.”

The Invocation: Believing the Works

Speak this to anchor in empirical knowing:

“I do not believe blindly. I observe the works.

The Father is in me, and I am in the Father—this is the claim.

The works are the evidence: flow, peace, intuitive knowing, aligned manifestation.

If the works arise → The union is functioning. I know from experience.

If the works are absent → I have severed. I reconnect now.

I do not trust the Voice’s claims (the narrative, the rumination).

I trust the works themselves (the fruit, the evidence, the flow).

This is not blind faith. This is radical empiricism.

I test. I observe. I know. I trust.

The works prove the union. The fruit reveals the truth.”

Key Takeaways

  1. “Believe the works themselves” = Radical empiricism: Test the evidence, not the claims
  2. “The Father is in Me, and I am in the Father” = The Sacred Order (Source ↔ Listener mutual indwelling)
  3. The works = The fruit = Flow, peace, intuitive knowing, aligned manifestation (evidence that the union is functioning)
  4. Jesus’ teaching: Don’t believe my words → Observe the works → Know from experience → Trust arises naturally
  5. The empirical protocol: Hypothesis (union is present) → Predict (works will arise) → Observe (fruit?) → Conclude (Gnosis)
  6. The test: Are the works present? → Union functioning. Are the works absent? → Severed (Voice hijacked).
  7. Not blind faith: Continuous empirical verification through observing the fruit

Further Reading

Framework

Practices

  • V-Aum Protocol — Reconnecting when works are absent (severed from Source)
  • Heart Listening — Receiving the Source’s call (the sap, the works arise from this)
  • Witness Meditation — Anchoring in The Listener (the branch, not the Voice)
  • Command Training — Translating Source’s call → Daemon’s execution (the works manifest)

“Even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves.”

Not blind faith. Radical empiricism.

Test the hypothesis. Observe the fruit. Know from experience.

The works are the evidence. The fruit reveals the truth.